The Rise of the Black Plain

While the two young men from the City of Waters returned to their activities, lamenting that they could not participate in this selection, similar scenes were taking place in other parts of the city.

People new in the Dry City and some inhabitants who had lived here for months were slowly discovering the details of this edition of the selection for new army soldiers.

Many of them were surprised to learn that there were now more limitations regarding the period of residence in the Dry City. But that was just for a moment when they received news that was different from what they expected.

But as such a change was expected, most people didn't keep this question on their minds for very long. Every organization would try to improve its control over its members, and that's what Minos was doing.

Even though some of the new residents were disappointed, they understood the motivations of this new rule very well and were okay with it. If they were being 'deleted' now, it would be different next time.

That was a system that favored those who were already in the Dry City, and these newcomers would be privileged for it in the future. So, they understood that this 'exclusion' was temporary. They had to take this time to enjoy the services of this place, increasing their strength for the following selection!

Anyway, the mood in the city was festive. Many people focused on the cultivation and arena rankings in the city in the last few days, as several of the people in the best positions could get one of the positions in the army.

And although the selection for new soldiers was not open to the public, many people had friends and/or relatives who would participate in this edition, so this was a matter of prime importance in the city.

The conditions the soldiers received were excellent. Even if a single person in a family got a place, it would change the whole fate of their parents, siblings, children, etc.

Because of this, even if they couldn't have fun watching a kind of tournament, the population of the city of Minos awaited this selection with full enthusiasm.

...

In a residential part of the Dry City, there was a street with several buildings of different shapes and sizes. Each of them had at least ten floors, forming a beautiful sight to behold.

There was a wide street in that place, with trees scattered every few meters and a specific lane for people who were in a hurry. After all, cultivators could run at high speeds, sometimes even faster than typical carriage speeds.

Such a thing was widespread in any city of the Spiritual World, as not everyone had spiritual beasts or vehicles to move them. Carriages were expensive, superfluous items, which practically only served in long-range journeys, or when people intended to increase their quality of movement within the same city.

Running was something most people could do, but using a carriage was always more comfortable for those who could. Therefore, noble and wealthy people always used this means of transport, even though they had another option.

There were also the beast's trips. This type of transport is already more suitable for transporting few people, preferably only one.

That was a faster transport than vehicles, and depending on the strength of the beast, it could be faster than human speed as well.

Because of this, people like Abby and Ruth, who traveled in small groups, or even alone, favored the use of spiritual beasts. But, of course, it was partly because they both had too many crystals to buy good beasts...

For example, a single 4th stage spiritual beast is at least five times more expensive than a set of 3rd stage beasts and still adding the carriage!

That's why most people in the north of the Central Continent, ordinary people, couldn't afford any of these alternatives, that's why they moved in the traditional style, on foot.

Hence, there are exclusive lanes on the streets of a large city, where cultivators could run without disturbing the typical movement of other people.

As to why this already existed in the Dry City, it was because the young Stuart had ordered it to be done. He knew this place would be home to millions in the future, so there was no reason not to plan now!

Anyway, in the middle of this residential neighborhood, a young woman with black hair, with little flashy clothes, but well cared for, was coming out of one of the buildings accompanied by a middle-aged woman, who already had some white hair among the black ones.

They were on their way to do their week's markets while they chatted about the important topic of the moment.

"Alina, are you going to participate in this selection that will take place in a few days?" the older woman asked as the two walked calmly down that long street.

"Hmm, I will. I reached level 29 this week, so I have a chance of getting one of the 3rd stage soldiers' groups spots." Alina responded while she had a determined look on her face.

She had taken the opportunity to train in the town's Cultivation Tower a few times since the opening of this place. After a lot of work, she had managed to level up two times since the inauguration of that place!

Anyway, upon hearing her daughter's answer, that middle-aged woman smiled and then asked. "And do you already know how this selection will be?"

"Yes, mom. First, they will collect our IDs, and only those who have lived in the Dry City for at least six months will pass."

"After that, there is a background check. If the person has been involved in any confusion in the past six months, he will be eliminated from the exam. This part takes about a week. After the result of this preliminary part comes out, we finally get to the important part."

"This part seems pretty simple. What's next?"

"After that, there is a physical test to measure our level and our aptitudes, such as talent and Physique classification."

"Oh?"

"They will then analyze each of our innate abilities, with the possibility of immediate approval if someone possesses a skill that is compatible with combat or something the army seeks."

"Finally, the final selection phase is made up of several fights. First, we fight other competitors, and lastly, those who pass this part will have to face soldiers of rank equivalent to our level!" She finished excitedly.

Even though this last part was quite tricky, Alina was excited about this selection. For this moment, she had been training for over two years since Minos arrived in this place.

After hearing her daughter finish speaking, the mother was surprised for a moment as she had her mouth open in shock. "But daughter, how can ordinary citizens defeat an army soldier? This last part is very excessive!"

"No, I heard that we wouldn't have to face soldiers of the same level as us. But it will still be complicated, as they have fighting techniques far superior to ours." Alina replied, looking into her mother's face.

In fact, even if people like Alina had to face soldiers of a lower level than theirs, that doesn't mean the fight would be any easier or more balanced. This measure was just the bare minimum for these citizens to have a chance to do more than just lose to Minos' soldiers, who could rely on Black-grade techniques.

That's because, even if there were an equivalence in the energy involved in the techniques, it wouldn't mean a balance in the fight!

The quality of spiritual techniques affected not only energy efficiency but also their quality!

With that, even if these people like Alina had to face someone of equal spiritual strength, they would still be at a bit of a disadvantage.

But that's what Minos wanted. By doing such a thing, he could force these people to try different things, strategies, use innate abilities, etc. A cultivator's level or technique didn't just define a fight. There were other variables involved in the process.

Of course, having good techniques and a high level was a good thing. But there were ways other paths that could unbalance a fight. As long as the difference wasn't brutal, there was always the possibility that someone at a disadvantage would win!

That's what Minos was looking for, warriors who can solve problems like this and become winners!